National Plan of Action for Children - WASH in Schools

The Kingdom of SwazilandNATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION(NPA) FOR CHILDREN - 2011 – 2015FINAL DRAFTPrepared byNational Children Coordination Unit(NCCU)MARCH 2010 AD

KNOWLEDGEMENTSThis revised National Plan of action for most vulnerable children’s is a the result ofimmense work by various institutions, units, departments and individuals, without whosecontributions, the production of this document would not have been possible. We thankall the stakeholders who have made this exercise a success.In this regard, the NCCU wishes to register its sincere appreciation to all stakeholders fortheir invaluable information, ideas and suggestions on the plan of action priority areasaddressed in this review report. In particular, our sincere gratitude goes to the technicalworking group’s who worked tirelessly to accomplish this task.Particular acknowledgement goes to UNICEF, who acted as a source of finance andtechnical support, Peter Mbiko Jere and Bright Braineous Sibale of Centre forDevelopment Management Consulting in Malawi who have played a vital role indeveloping this revised NPA.Lastly, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the National Children’sCoordinating Unit for coordinating the overall exercise.KHANGEZIWE MABUZAPRINCIPAL SECRETARY3

TABLE OF CONTENTSFOREWORD ................................................................................................................................. 2KNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................ 3TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. 4ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMS ........................................................................................... 5EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................. 61.0 INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 91.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATION ................................................................................................. 91.2 THE DEFINITION OF VULNERABLE CHILDREN ......................................................... 101.3 THE SOCIAL & ECONOMIC CONTEXT .......................................................................... 101.4 THE SITUATION OF VULNERABILITY OF CHILDREN IN SWAZILAND ...................... 112.0 CURRENT NATIONAL RESPONSE .............................................................................. 142.1 THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S POLICY (2008) .............................................................. 142.2 OTHER NATIONAL POLICIES AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTS ..................................... 182.3 CURRENT PROGRAMMES TARGETING CHILDREN .................................................. 202.4 AN OVERVIEW OF THE NPA 2006-2010 & FINDINGS OF THE MID TERMEVALUATION ............................................................................................................................. 233.0 THE NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (2011-2015) ........................ 253.1 STRUCTURE & IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPA ....................................................... 253.2 KEY INSTRUMENTS ............................................................................................................... 253.3 GUIDING PRINCIPLES ............................................................................................................ 293.4 THE NPA (2011-2015) STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES .......................................................... 313.5 THE NPA 2011-2015) INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ......................................... 333.5.1 COORDINATION, TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL BODIES ................................................ 343.6 MONITORING & EVALUATION SYSTEM ..................................................................... 373.7 THE NPA FOR ALL CHILDREN (2011-2015) MATRICES .............................................. 383.7.1 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: EDUCATION .................................................................. 383.7.2 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: HEALTH, CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION ......... 403.7.3 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES ................................ 423.7.4 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CARE AND SUPPORT ................................................... 443.7.5 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT ......................................... 463.7.6 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION .......................... 483.7.7 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY ................................... 513.7.8 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CHILD PROTECTION AND LEGAL SUPPORT .......... 533.7.9 (A). CROSS CUTTING ISSUE: NPA COORDINATION, PARTNERSHIP & CAPACITYBUILDING ARRANGEMENTS .................................................................................................. 563.7.9 (B). CROSS CUTTING ISSUE: RESEARCH, MONITORING AND EVALUATION ...... 58ANNEX 1: COSTED NPA ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2011-2015) ........... 60ANNEX 2: TORS FOR KEY NPA IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURES ........................... 61ANNEX 3: ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN DEVELOPING THE NPA2011-2015 ...................................................................................................................................... 63REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................ 644

ABBREVIATIONS & ACRONYMSAIDS Acquired Immune-Deficiency SyndromeART Anti-Retroviral TherapyCRC UN Convention on the Rights of the ChildECD Early Childhood DevelopmentEFA Education for AllFBO Faith Based OrganisationHIV Human Immune VirusLL Lihlombe Lekukhalela (Child Protectors)MDG Millennium Development GoalsMORDYA Ministry of Regional Development and Youth AffairsMoHSW Ministry of Health & Social WelfareM&E Monitoring and EvaluationNCCU National Children’s Coordination UnitNCP National Care PointNGO Non-Governmental OrganizationOVC Orphaned and Vulnerable ChildrenRHM Rural Health MotivatorPMTCT Prevention of Mother to Child TransmissionTWG Technical Working GroupUNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDSUNFPA United Nations Population FundUNDP United Nations Development ProgrammeUNICEF United Nations Children’s' Emergency FundUSAID United States Agency for International DevelopmentUSG United States GovernmentUNDAF UN Development Assistance FrameworkUPE Universal Primary EducationWFP World Food ProgrammeWHO World Health Organization5

EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe HIV and AIDS pandemic has affected millions of children in Swaziland and isplacing increasing numbers at risk. There are 17,000 children under the age of 5 livingwith HIV and AIDS in the country. Government further estimates that 130,000 children,or 31.3% of all children in the country, are orphaned or vulnerable largely as a result ofthe impacts of HIV and AIDS. The rapid increase in the numbers of deaths of parentscoupled with the high prevalence of poverty has greatly prevented many children fromenjoying their basic human rights and services. In response to this crisis, the Governmentof Swaziland has endorsed the urgent need for coordinated, expanded interventions tostrengthen existing work being undertaken by government ministries, non-governmentalorganizations (NGOs), community-based organizations (CBOs), faith-basedorganizations (FBOs), United Nations (UN) agencies and other multi lateral agenciesthrough the NPA 2011-2015. The NPA is a result of a Mid Term Review of the previousNPA 2006-2010 which culminated into consultative processes aimed to secure broadbased support for the new NPA for all Children.The NPA for all Children was developed with the participation of children as keystakeholders throughout the consultative processes. It is a departure from the previousNPA which focused on OVCs only. The shift is a result of efforts to align strategy withthe new Children’s Policy (2008) which is targeting the whole children’s sector. Whiletargeting all children, the current NPA places special emphasis on the vulnerablecategories of children to maximize impact of the resources on the sector. The NPA hasbeen developed in respect of key global and national goals and commitments in line withinternational and national human rights instruments, policies and other guiding principles.The NPA for All Children (2011-2015) is guided by the following 8+1 strategicobjectives in line with the National Children’s Policy:Strategic Objective 1: Quality of education strengthened for all children throughimproved learning environment and enhanced access to enhance their right to educationStrategic Objective 2: The health status of all children improved by providingpreventative, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative social services that are of a highquality, relevant, accessible, affordable, equitable and socially acceptable to enhance theirright to health.Strategic Objective 3: Barriers which prevent children with disabilities from accessingthe same development opportunities accessed by other children removed to improve theirquality of life to enhance their enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms withoutdistinction.Strategic Objective 4: Coordination of service delivery to reach all children in need ofcare and support improved to enhance their right to enjoy opportunities and provision ofbasic needs such as clothing, health, shelter, safe water, and hygiene.6

Strategic Objective 5: A holistic psychosocial environment for the well being anddevelopment of children improved to meet their physical, social, emotional, spiritual,cognitive and mental needs to enhance their right to live meaningful and positive lives.Strategic Objective 6: Improved short and long term household food security andnutrition status of children to enhance their right to physical well being.Strategic Objective 7: The economic coping capacity of vulnerable children, householdsand communities strengthened to enhance their right to basic needs.Strategic Objective 8: Environment for child protection, legal support and access to basicrights improvedStrategic Objective 9:(A) Improved coordination, partnerships and capacity building arrangements onchildren's issues at community, inkhundla, regional and national levels(B) Improved capacity for research, monitoring and evaluation of children's issues atcommunity, inkhundla, regional and national levels.The NPA for all Children objectives will be achieved through the following strategies,which emphasize identifying, mobilizing, and coordinating existing resources from allsectors: Strengthening coordination, partnerships and capacity building arrangements onchildren's issues at community, inkhundla, regional and national levels Undertake education and advocacy to improve the learning environment and enhancechildren’s access to the right to education Provision of preventative, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative social services thatare of a high quality, relevant, accessible, affordable, equitable and sociallyacceptable to enhance children’s right to health. Removal of barriers which prevent children with disabilities from accessing the samedevelopment opportunities accessed by other children to improve their quality of life Strengthening capacity for coordination of service delivery to reach all children inneed of care and support Strengthening capacity for a holistic psychosocial environment for the well being anddevelopment of children to meet their physical, social, emotional, spiritual, cognitiveand mental needs Strengthening capacity for short and long term household food security and nutritionstatus of children Strengthening capacity for economic coping capacity of vulnerable children,households and communities Advocating for a conducive environment for child protection, legal support andaccess to basic rights Strengthening capacity for research, monitoring, reporting and evaluation ofchildren's issues at community, inkhundla, regional and national levels Strengthening community based initiatives and social safety nets7

Strengthening the rights-based approach to programming, where the family,community, local authorities, civil society, and the state are viewed as duty bearers,and must commit to upholding children’s rights;Mobilizing domestic and international resources; andStrengthening communication with local stakeholders and other counterparts atregional and international levelThis NPA for all Children covers an initial time frame of five years, incorporating theUNGASS goals for 2005, and therefore attempts to address the basic and urgent needs ofvulnerable children. The NPA proposes to identify and maximize the use of localresources through coordinated, multi-sectoral efforts led by the NCCU. Additionalresources will also be mobilized at international level to support the NPA at all levels.8

1.0 INTRODUCTION1.1 BACKGROUND INFORMATIONChildren are the greatest resource; they are Swaziland’s future. Yet social and economicindicators of household welfare reveal serious disparities in their access to social andeconomic services and also confirm fundamental inequalities to the support and care theyreceive. A significant number of children are increasingly unable to take advantage ofinterventions meant to improve their quality of life, notwithstanding the existence oflaws, policies, and programmes formulated for this purpose.The needs of children are presently being addressed in various ways in Swaziland, but itis necessary to strengthen the diverse types of care in view of the impact of HIV andAIDS, which are tragically affecting the lives of children in the country. The death ofparents and guardians from AIDS related sickness and diseases has led to an increase inthe number of orphans and child headed households. Unfortunately, the traditionalextended family which has for a long time been the safety-net for orphans and vulnerablechildren is under extreme strain as a result of the loss of many family breadwinners andrelatives. In view of the weakening of family structures and community supportmechanisms, the Government, civil society and communities must collectively placechildren at the centre of public policy implementation strategies, and devise effectiveways and means of ensuring that the rights of children are met.The NPA 2011-2015 is for all children in Swaziland, a significant policy shift from theprevious NPA which only targeted OVCs. The shift is a result of efforts to align strategywith the new Children’s Policy (2008) which is targeting the whole children’s sector.While targeting all children, the NPA 2011-2015 however places special emphasis on thevulnerable categories of children including those cited in 1.3.The NPA for All Children 2011-2015 will intensify the implementation of the nationallegislation and policies pertinent to children. While the national legislation provides legalprotection for children who fall through the social safety nets, the policies put in place amechanism for coordination, which is the overall responsibility of government to provideminimum standards and guidelines for civil society, the community and all other dutybearers to monitor and respond to the situation of children. Activities at national andregional level have contributed to fulfilling Swaziland’s commitment to the UNGASSDeclaration of Commitment with a view to the development of a National Plan of Actionfor Vulnerable Children. This document is in line with the UNGASS goals 65, 66 and 67which directly target orphans and other vulnerable children, urging member states todevelop national policies and strategies that build and strengthen the ability ofgovernments, communities, and families to support vulnerable children infected andaffected by HIV/AIDS by the year 2003, and to implement these policies and strategiesby the year 2005.9

1.2 THE DEFINITION OF VULNERABLE CHILDRENAccording to the Children’s Policy (2008), the definition of a child in this document isany person below the age of 18 years. On the other hand, the Policy defines vulnerablechildren as those who are especially made vulnerable by poverty and HIV and AIDS -especially double, maternal orphans, children who are parents or caretakers of otherchildren, children living in child-headed households, the homeless and unaccompaniedchildren; children with special needs with particular attention to the girl child andchildren of parents with physical, psychological and sensory impairments; children withdisabilities; children subjected to all forms of abuse and neglect particularly sexual abuseand exploitation, physical violence and abuse, emotional, psychological abuse andneglect; children subjected to worst forms of child labour in both formal and informalsectors; young offenders; children living in the streets; abandoned children; children inneed of maintenance; and children living in difficult circumstances. Others include thosethat are affected and/or infected by HIV and AIDS, married children, neglected children,children with chronically ill parent(s) and children in conflict or in contact with the law.This is the definition that will guide targeting of the NPA initiatives with anunderstanding that although the NPA is for all children, targeting will help to optimizeresource utilization in an environment of resource constraints because although mostchildren may be vulnerable, there are still some that are always most vulnerable.As a result of the socio-economic situation and the HIV and AIDS epidemic, all childrenin Swaziland are potentially vulnerable, hence the NPA 2011-2015 for All Children.There are many ways of defining and evaluating vulnerability. However, this documentacknowledges that communities themselves best define vulnerability. They know whichchildren are vulnerable using their own indices of vulnerability and prioritizeaccordingly. They will most certainly be consulted as principle stakeholders in allprogramming efforts concerning children. The National Children’s Policy (2008) section1.4 on the other hand recognizes that children orphaned and made vulnerable because ofHIV/AIDS are the most vulnerable population in Swaziland. The policy notes that thesechildren are subjected to a wide range of social and economic difficulties: psycho-socialdistress, grief, stigma, discrimination, isolation, economic deprivation, loss of educationalopportunity, burdensome domestic responsibilities, and fear for their own future. TheNPA 2011-2015 places these guidelines at the heart of its strategic agenda.1.3 THE SOCIAL & ECONOMIC CONTEXTSwaziland is a landlocked country situated between South Africa and Mozambique. Itcovers an area of 17,364 square kilometers. Arable land is only 11% of the total area,and the remainder is made up of permanent pasture, forests and woodlands. The countryis divided into four agro-ecological zones: Highveld, Middleveld, Lowveld, andLubombo plateau; and four administrative regions: Hhohho, Manzini, Shiselweni andLubombo. It has an estimated population of about 1,018,449 (2007), with a density ofabout 58.6 people per square kilometer.10

In present day Swaziland, the administrative centres have a potential to become economicgrowth points and are being developed as centres of local government administrationunder the Decentralization Policy. The legal system is a mixture of the Roman- DutchCommon Law and Swazi Law and Custom. Although Swaziland is classified as a middleincome country, there are wide disparities between the poor and the wealthy, with 69% ofthe population living below the poverty line. The economy is dependent onmanufacturing and agriculture. The closure of some manufacturing companies andtextile industries in the recent years, combined with the retrenchment of mine workers inSouth Africa, is significantly affecting household incomes. Income distribution is veryunequal in both rural and urban areas.Currently, the trend shows that poverty and hunger are on the increase in Swaziland inboth rural and urban areas, with people living on food aid increasing from 210,000 in2005/06 to more than 400,000 in 2006/07. The World Food Programme(WFP) Crop andFood Supply Assessment Mission to Swaziland (2007) observed that 21% of the nation’shouseholds are food insecure while 69% are living below the poverty line, based on anapproach that measures a household’s capacity to access food (purchase power), dietarydiversity and production levels. According to Swazi Vulnerability AssessmentCommittee (VAC) (2006), approximately 40% of the poor were not accessing sufficientfood, with a further 40% receiving food aid. The poor performance of the agriculturalsector has been the main contributing factor to the prevailing economic status as well asthe persistent long dry spells; poor market prices; changing global trading regimes, highproduction cost; high unemployment rate; and HIV and AIDS.1.4 THE SITUATION OF VULNERABILITY OF CHILDREN INSWAZILANDThe HIV and AIDS pandemic has affected thousands of children and is placingincreasing numbers at risk. The rapid increase in the numbers of deaths of parentscoupled with the high prevalence of poverty has greatly prevented many children fromenjoying their basic human rights and services. A recent study on the HIV prevalence ratein Swaziland shows that among women attending antenatal care, as measured by sentinelsurveillance the prevalence rate has raised from 3.9% in 1992 to 39.2% in 2006, 1 makingit the highest recorded HIV prevalence in the world. UNAIDS (2006) estimates that thereare currently 220,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in the country. This has led to anincrease in the need for care and support services. Reports indicate that approximately16,000 people die as a result of HIV and AIDS each year – nearly 45 people a day 2 .Government estimates that 130,000 children, or 31.3% of all children in the country, areorphaned or vulnerable. This number is expected to grow to 200,000 by 2010.Out of an estimate 1,018,449 people3 (male: 481,428, female: 537,021) (2007 Census),1 10 th Sentinel Surveillance2 The DHS & CSO3 2007 Population and Housing Census Swaziland11

children account for about 54% of the total population while those of the ages 0-15account for 44%. It is estimated that 52% of the national population is under the age of 20years and 79% of the population lives in rural areas 4 . Of these numbers, about 69% livebelow the poverty line and most of them are affected by HIV and AIDS. One of the mostvisible effects of HIV in the country is the growing number of Orphans and VulnerableChildren (OVC). At present, the burden of caring for the large numbers of young childrenwithout parents falls on the elderly. There is an increase in the number of “child-headedhouseholds” as shown by results from the Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS),which approximates that a third of children do not live with either parent. Furthermore,there has been a weakening of the extended family and traditional community structurewhich has impacted negatively on the care and support of children.Furthermore, it is projected that the number of children in child headed households willincrease as a consequence of the high rates of HIV infections among the adult population.Such households will have the disadvantage of not having an adult to provide guidanceand ensure protection for the children. Another study by the Swaziland Association ofCrime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders (SACRO) found out that the number ofstreet children was rising particularly in the cities of Manzini and Mbabane. The reportnoted that these children move to the streets primarily because of socio-economichardships experienced by their families. All of these factors highlighted above depict thechallenges that are faced by the children. Clearly, the enjoyment of basic rights, services,protection from all forms of abuse and their overall well-being is greatly compromised.The devastating impact of the HIV and AIDS pandemic lies behind many of the grimstatistics, accounting for nearly half of the deaths of children under five. There are 17,000children under the age of 5 living with HIV and AIDS in the country. 5 Whilst the HIVprevalence rate in the broad age category of 15 to 24 years decreased between 39.4% in2002 to 34.6% in 2006 at the same time it maintained an increase in ages 30 – 34 and 35– 39 years. However, the 2006-07 SDHS report notes that 19% of the population age 2years and older and 26% of the population age 15-49 is living with HIV and AIDS. Thereport further notes that HIV prevalence is 5% among the population age 2-4 and declinesgradually to 3% in the 10-14 age group. This calls for strengthening and scaling up ofprogrammes and interventions targeting children.Only about 35% of eligible HIV infected children are on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)Prevention. Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) services currentlyreaches only about 60%. 6 The other causes of child mortality are neonatal conditions(22%), pneumonia (12%), and diarrhea (10%). High levels of malnutrition amongstUnder 5s also contribute significantly to the mortality. Child malnutrition levels haveremained more or less the same since 2000 although the situation has slightly changed.4 Population and Housing Census 2007 – as quoted in the census official brochure5 Ibid6 Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (SDHS)12

The SDHS report indicates that stunting is at 29%, the prevalence of underweightchildren nationally is 5% and 3% of children are wasted 7 .Swaziland has also witnessed the emergence of “skip generation” households as a resultof the HIV and AIDS pandemic, forcing grandparents to shoulder the burden of caringfor orphans. According to the 2008 VAC i , 35 percent of households are currently headedby an elderly person. Whilst older persons constitute 5.5 percent of the Swazi population,they are playing a key role in caring for children and families with their meagre socialassistance grants. A small number of child headed households are also beginning toemerge in the country - a further indication of the erosion of the caring capacity of thetraditional social security system. Children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV andAIDS and/ or abandoned or neglected as a result of a range of social and economicfactors, is a key challenge facing the country. In addition, anecdotal evidence suggests arise in the number of children living on the streets, who have fallen victim to abuse,neglect, poverty and whose basic physical and developmental needs are not being met bytheir families and relatives.The 2007 Census ii revealed that in Swaziland there were 33,565 persons with disabilitiescompared to 15,226 in 1986. This means that persons with disabilities constitute about 3percent of the population. Of the 33,656 people with disabilities, a total of 5,398 werechildren between the ages 5-14. A total of 54 percent were males and 46 percent werefemales. The statistics further showed that about 50 percent of the disabled populationaged 10 years and older had no access to basic education. About 33 percent had someprimary school education, with only 15 percent having post primary education. It is alsonoted that persons with disabilities live in extreme poverty as the majority remainingunemployed.The current socio-economic environment facing Swaziland has created impedimentstowards the realization of human well being. Swaziland’s standing in the HumanDevelopment Index, a broad measure of human development, has declined substantiallysince mid 1990s, placing the country at 141 out of 177 countries iii . The situation isaggravated by the fact that Swaziland does not have a comprehensive social protectionsystem that can address human needs effectively. The poor and vulnerable groups are,therefore, forced to rely almost exclusively on themselves or their families for socialwelfare support. The last SDHS iv showed that 78 percent of households with achronically ill member do not receive any external support and 59 percent of OVCreceive no external support including school related assistance. The imperative ofproviding social protection stems from many international and national instruments butmost importantly the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland v and the PovertyReduction Strategy and Action Plan (PRSAP) vi . Both the Constitution and PRSAPrecognize the importance of social protection in combating poverty and improving thecapacities and opportunities of the poor. The target is to halve absolute poverty by 2015and eradicate it entirely by 2022 vii .7 Ibid13

2.0 CURRENT NATIONAL RESPONSEThe Government of Swaziland has demonstrated its commitment to children by adoptingthe Convention on the Rights of the Child, The African Charter on the Rights andWelfare of the African Child, The ILO Convention on Minimum Age of Admission toEmployment (1973), The ILO Convention concerning the Prohibition and ImmediateAction for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor 182 (1999), World Fit forChildren Declaration (2001) and Millennium Development Goals; and the Eastern andSouthern Africa Regional Workshop on Children affected by HIV and AIDS, Windhoek(2003). Moreover, the country has taken important steps to establish relevant instrumentsthat provide a protective environment in which children’s rights can be respected andresponses for their advancement scaled up. Such instruments include the NationalChildren’s Policy (2008) along with other policy and legal instruments relevant to thechildren’s response.2.1 THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S POLICY (2008)The National Children’s Policy (2008) overarching goal is:“To promote, protect and fulfill the rights of all children and ensuretheir full development and long-term welfare including their physicaland psychosocial development.”The National Children’s Policy covers the following eight key issues as stipulated in thepolicy statements: 1) Education; 2) Health; 3) Children with Disabilities; 4) Care andSupport; 5) Psychosocial Support; 6) Food and Nutrition Security; 7) Socio-EconomicSecurity; and 8) Child Protection and Legal Support1. EducationTo provide free compulsory inclusive basic education for all children in Swaziland,whatever their gender, sex, age, life circumstances, health, disability, stage ofdevelopment, capacity to learn or financial circumstances, to enable effectivelearning.To ensure that all children shall receive quality, relevant basic education that meetstheir individual needs.To provide free compulsory inclusive basic education for all children in Swaziland,whatever their gender, sex, age, life circumstances, health, disability, stage ofdevelopment, capacity to learn or financial circumstances, to enable effectivelearning.To ensure that all children shall receive quality, relevant basic education that meetstheir individual needs.To provide free compulsory inclusive basic education for all children in Swaziland,whatever their gender, sex, age, life circumstances, health, disability, stage of14

development, capacity to learn or financial circumstances, to enable effectivelearning.To ensure that all children shall receive quality, relevant basic education which meetstheir individual needs.To ensure that all children shall have equitable access and opportunities within theeducation system taking into consideration gender balance.To ensure that all children shall receive compulsory and regular screening to identifypossible impairments to learning.To ensure that schools shall provide a secure and child-friendly environment.To ensure that all school facilities, including classrooms, ablution blocks andplaygrounds are safe, accessible, secure and user-friendly.To ensure that children have access to nutritious and well-balanced meals duringschool hours.To ensure that all children receive quality education from qualified teachers who arecontinually trained and equipped with relevant and ongoing professionaldevelopment, skills, knowledge and current development trends, standards in theeducation field.2. HealthTo improve child, survival, well being and development and reduce mortality.To provide access to HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment.To ensure that every child shall have access and enjoy the best attainable state ofphysical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual health without discrimination on thebasis of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, tribe, birth, creed or religion or social oreconomic standing, political opinion, age, health status or disability.To increase awareness of mental health issues and access to mental health servicesTo increase the budget allocation for child health care services.To strengthen and set up structures for participation and further resourcing thestructures that currently exist to ensure that children understand how to address issueswhich affect them.15

3. Children with disabilitiesTo protect and promote the full realization of all human rights and fundamentalfreedoms for all children with disabilities on an equal basis with other childrenwithout discrimination of any kind and on the basis of a disability.To facilitate the mainstreaming of disability issues in all existing and new programsand structures for children.To promote awareness-raising of disability rights and issues.To provide free appropriate and compulsory basic educational opportunity to allchildren with disabilities.To provide early childhood development services to children with disabilities.To provide adequate human resources with specialized training for appropriateservice provision.To provide access to basic and specialized services to children with disabilities.To provide access to public and private facilities.To set aside 10% of the national budget in Government institutions for children withdisabilities.To keep and update data on the status of disabilities and promote research ondisability issues.4. Care and SupportTo provide coordination and monitoring of quality care and support services.To build capacity, educate and disseminate information to community leaders,caregivers and families on their roles and responsibilities (take into consideration theconstitution, laws, conventions, protocols and policies) that affect children.To ensure the provision of vulnerable children with basic needs such as, clothing,food, water, health, shelter, recreation, emotional support, and a safe environment tofoster security and belonging.To ensure that the psychosocial environment (internal and external) is conducive forthe growth and development of all children.To ensure that all children are guaranteed of their rights and responsibilities,protection and equal opportunities regardless of their vulnerabilities and challenges.5. Psychosocial SupportTo empower (capacitate) families, children, communities and all sectors of society ona holistic psychosocial support that will promote a conducive environment for one tocope with any given situation affecting their wellbeing.To develop and strengthen capacity for all stakeholders and caregivers onpsychosocial support.16

To emphasise research focusing on the psychosocial support and interventions for allchildren to provide a holistic psychosocial supportive environment.To provide a coordinated national mechanism on psychosocial support programs andactivities at all levels of society.To provide adequate resources to enable the provision of psychosocial support andimplementation of programmes and activities at communities, families and all sectorsof society.6. Food and Nutrition SecurityTo improve subsistence and commercial agricultural productivity of households,quality of storage, processing after storage, and the access to markets.To facilitate the best possible start in life for infants by improving the infant andyoung child nutrition.To improve access for children to a nutritionally balanced diet on a sustainable basis.To improve disaster preparedness and response, including the implementation of thenational disaster management policy to safe guard food availability for vulnerablechildren during crisis.To ensure that Government shall coordinates the implementation of all programmesand policies relating to food security and sustainability for children.To ensure that Government implements relevant policies and plans that affect thewelfare of children, including the Poverty Reduction Strategy & Action Plan, theNational Plan of Action for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and the SocialProtection Project on Orphans and Vulnerable Children as well as this policy.7. Socio-Economic SecurityTo promote social and economic empowerment of children, families andcommunities to break the cycle of poverty and vulnerability, and enhance quality oflife.To strengthen, expand and facilitate social safety net measures (mitigatinginterventions) to support children and their families.Ensure that Government implements relevant socio-economic policies and plans thataffect the welfare of children.8. Child Protection and Legal SupportTo develop and strengthen child focused and adequate rights based protection.Ensure that Government shall aim to strengthen capacity for and the evidence base onchild protection, contribute to other areas of knowledge, and assure that evidence isused effectively to improve programming.17

To facilitate and establish a legal framework which will be for, and accessible to allchildren for their protection and welfare.To respect, promote, protect and fulfill all national, sub-regional regional andinternational human rights obligations aimed at protecting children’s rights.To develop and implement a legal and policy framework to protect all children fromall forms of child labour.To facilitate and support child participation in all matters affecting them and takinginto consideration their views in the best interests of the child.2.2 OTHER NATIONAL POLICIES AND LEGAL INSTRUMENTSApart from the Children’s Policy (2008) and the legal framework cited in section3.2 ofthe NPA, there are other equally relevant national policies and legal instruments that existas a framework for chilren’s programming and they include:1. National Policy Statement on Education, 1999: The National Policy Statement onEducation pledges that Government will continue to develop the intellectual, moral,aesthetic, emotional, physical, psychological, spiritual development and practicalcapabilities that are needed by the child in order to adapt to the ever-changingcomplex and uncertain socio-economic environment.2. The National Social Development Policy (2009). The NSDP a policy frameworkintended to improve the quality of life and human well-being of all Swazis throughthe provision of appropriate and sustainable social services that are developmental inorientation. It provides for support towards vulnerable children.3. The National Health Policy (2007): The Policy is intended to make health servicesprovided free of charge to eligible children, elderly persons, orphans and persons withdisability. The policy further obligates government to provide a subvention to nongovernmentaland faith based organizations that offer services that are deemedimportant according to established guidelines, subject to availability of resources4. The Disaster Management Policy (1999): The policy aims to articulate and provide awell-coordinated framework to disasters paying particular attention to nationaldevelopment instruments and all other relevant national and international legislativeand policy frameworks that have a bearing on disaster risk management.5. The National Food Security Policy (2006): The Policy’s specific purpose is to provideclear guidance regarding the strategies and measures that must be adopted in order toimprove food security for all people in Swaziland. At the same time, it is intended tosupport related initiatives on reducing poverty, improving agricultural production andmarketing, enhancing environmental management, strengthening disaster18

preparedness, improving health delivery and broadening access to water andsanitation.6. The Draft National Policy on ECCD, 2008: The Policy intends to ensure universalaccess to quality ECCD services and practices for all children in Swaziland, includingthe most vulnerable, and disadvantaged children so that every child can achieve theirECCD milestones at an appropriate age.7. The Girls and the Women’s Protection Act No. 39 of 1920: The legislationcriminalises and prohibits any form of sexual intercourse, immoral or indecentdealing by a male with girls that are under the age of 16 years.8. The Reformation Act No. 82 of 1921: This legislation defines a “juvenile” as anyperson under the age of 16 years, and a “juvenile adult” as any person who is betweenthe ages of 16 and 21 years. The Act is intended to provide for reformatoryprocedures for child delinquents.9. The Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act No. 20 of 1938: This legislation deals withthe apprehension, prosecution and conviction of persons in conflict with the law. Inpart, it is intended to safeguard the rights, integrity and care of child offenders, and is,in many respects, compliant with CRC requirements.10. The Adoption of Children Act No. 64 of 1952: The Act prescribes that the personqualifying for adoption must be a minor. It also specifies the age of the adoptiveapplicant as 25 years older.11. The Interstate Succession Act No. 3 of 1953: This Act regulates the devolution of adeceased person’s estate in the absence of a will. Under the Act, the entitlement toshares minimises the potential for vulnerability on the part of the children of thedeceased, thereby minimising the likelihood of their falling victim to trafficking andother forms of abuse as a result of poverty and deprivation.12. The Marriage Act No. 47 of 1964: The Act stipulates the marriage age for both malesand females as 21 years. It imposes restriction on minors’ right to marriage, requiringthe consent of a legal guardian (father or mother), and prescribes the marriageableages of minors with the legal guardian’s consent as 18 and 16 years for males andfemales, respectively.13. Administration of Estates Act: This legislation governs the administration of estatesand inheritance matters of all estates in line with the Constitution, CRC and otherinternational Conventions to ensure that the child’s inheritance rights are upheld andenforced.14. The Child Care Service Order of 1977: This legislation seeks to promote the jointresponsibility of parents in the upbringing and development of children as set out in19

the Roman Dutch Law. It provides for the appointment of maintenance officers andthe investigation of complaints relating to maintenance; establishes a maintenancecourt and provides for procedures to be followed in order to facilitate the support topersons, below 18 years, who are unable to maintain themselves.15. National Population Policy Framework for Swaziland, 2002: This policy recognizeschildren and young people as “Special Groups” requiring specific targeting in issuesof abuse, HIV and AIDS and the necessity to strengthen the structures that areresponsible for these issues.16. National Strategic Framework on HIV and AIDS 2009-2013: This policy seeks toguide the implementation of a multi-sectoral, relevant, comprehensive and effectiveHIV and AIDS response in Swaziland using the principles of Results BasedManagement (RBM). It also seeks to enable the scaling up of evidence-based,decentralised HIV and AIDS response strategies that address priority areas and havesignificant potential to reverse or halt the epidemic by 2015.17. National Multisectoral HIV&AIDS Policy: This policy seeks to create an enablingpolicy environment for the national multi sectoral response to the HIV and AIDSepidemic. The overall objective of this policy is to strengthen the multisectoralinstitutional framework for the coordination and implementation of HIV and AIDSinterventions in the country.2.3 CURRENT PROGRAMMES TARGETING CHILDRENTo demonstrate its commitment towards promoting the children’s agenda, theGovernment of Swaziland has for a number of years undertaken significant efforts invarious sectors to translate its policy instruments into programmes that are benefitingchildren across the country. Cited below are some of the few programmes that have hadquite a significant impact or potential impact on realization of the rights of children:Education – Through the Ministry of Education and the civil society, the Governmentof Swaziland has commissioned the Education for All policy through a phasedapproach by starting with the introduction of Free Primary Education from the nextschool calendar starting with grades 1 and 2 with the other grades to follow suit untilthe whole primary school is covered. The Government has also embarked on aprogramme of recognising Schools as Centres for Care and Support, a mechanismwhich has improved children’s access to services like nutrition support, clean waterdrinking source, hand washing facilities, accessible toilets and hygiene education.The Government is also providing education grants to needy children through theDepartment of Social Welfare to enable the needy children to access financial20

esources for school fees, uniform, stationery and other needs. The initiative hashelped many orphans and OVCs to remain in school.Apart from this, civil society organizations are also playing a vital role in ensuringthat children have access to education. In this regard, the government of Swazilandthrough the MoET, in collaboration with the civil society, has commissioned the rollout of FPE. This will be done incrementally beginning with grades one and two untilall seven grades at primary school are covered and are providing FPE. Additionally,the MoET is also coordinating the Schools as Centres for Care and Support (SCCS)programme. The programme has six pillars aimed to enhance the learningenvironment for all children. The six pillars are: protection and safety, psychosocialsupport, food security, health, water and sanitation and the pillar on prevention ofviolence and HIV through Life skills Education. For those children in the upperprimary (grades 3 -7) the government is providing the education grants which areintended to enable the needy children to access financial resources for school fees.In recent years, the Government of Swaziland has scaled up efforts to ensure that allpupils, irrespective of their socio-economic classification, have access to education,particularly in the last four years (Swaziland MDG Report 2007). Initiatives that havebeen implemented which have reduced the cost barriers to accessing educationinclude: the provision, since 2002, of free books to all public primary school pupils;the gradual introduction of free stationery beginning with the first four grades in 2006and rolling out the programme to grades 5, 6 and 7 in 2007; and the introduction of aschool feeding scheme, which has seen a substantial increase in the budget allocationtowards the education sector.Health – Through the Ministry of Health and the civil society, the Government ofSwaziland is running school health programs like oral health education,environmental health, non-communicable disease, immunization, de-worming,growth monitoring to ensure the physical wellbeing of students, referral mechanismfor special and urgent concerns, and health clubs in schools. The Government throughits health delivery system is also running PMTCT programmes across the countryintended to prevent mother to child transmission of HIV. In the area of water andsanitation, the Government is running a national programme to improve householdaccess to clean water, sanitation and hygiene education. This programme hassignificantly improved children’s access to clean water and sanitation services.On child protection and legal support, the Government of Swaziland has just adopteda new National Children’s Policy (2008) with an overall goal to promote, protect and21

fulfill the rights of all children and ensure their full development and long-termwelfare including their physical and psychosocial development. Through the policy,the Government has established a Domestic Violence Child Protection and SexualOffences Unit in the Royal Swaziland Police. At community level, the Government issupporting the establishment of Lihlombe Lekukhalela (LL - Shoulder to Cry on) inalmost all rural and urban communities and through the LL, all communities areempowered to adopt policies of zero tolerance to violence, bullying and abuse. This iscoupled with the community policing initiative. Through the Ministry of Education, aChildren Help line has been established to enable vulnerable children, their caregiversand community members respond immediately to circumstances and conditions thatresult in gross violation of their rights subjecting them to serious risks and hazards.Additionally, the Government of Swaziland is scaling up children’s registration bydecentralizing the registration mechanisms to regional level to ease access.In the area of care and support to children, the Government of Swaziland inconjunction with civil society is facilitating a community based care and supportsystem especially for children at chiefdom level. Through the National EmergencyResponse Council on HIV and AIDS (NERCHA), the Government has establishedKaGogo Centres with the purpose of providing care and support to vulnerablechildren at community level. Additionally, a number of Neighbourhood Care Points(NCPs) providing nutrition supplements to vulnerable children (now expanding tointegrate ECD). Through the initiative, food is supplied to NCPs and some KaGogoCentres for the nutrition supplementation programme, school feeding programs arebeing supported by the Government and World Food Programmme (WFP), schoolgardening and backyard gardens are being promoted by the Ministry of Agriculture.On children with disabilities, the Government of Swaziland through the office of theDeputy Prime Minister (DPM) has established a Disability Unit within theDepartment of Social Welfare in the DPM’s Office to ensure equalization ofopportunities for persons with disabilities and to eliminate all forms of discriminationagainst children with disabilities.With regard to psycho-social support (PSS), the Government of Swaziland hascommissioned a new approach of mainstreaming PSS in all programs to create andmaintain a welcoming, supportive and nurturing environment for children in and outof schools. In support of the initiative, the Government is supporting a capacitybuilding programme for care givers through an open distance learning programthrough the University of KwaZulu Natal22

2.4 AN OVERVIEW OF THE NPA 2006-2010 & FINDINGS OF THE MIDTERM EVALUATIONUnlike the NPA for all Children 2011-2015, the NPA 2006-2010 was focused onaddressing the plight of OVCs. The overall goals of the NPA were: 1) Children areensured access to shelter and protection from abuse, violence, exploitation,discrimination, trafficking and loss of inheritance; 2) Vulnerable individuals andhouseholds are able to produce or acquire sufficient appropriate food to meet short andlong term nutritional needs; 3) Improved access to basic health care services for the mostvulnerable children; and, 4) Universal primary education achieved, and support providedto OVC in secondary schools. To achieve these overall goals, the NPA adopted a rightsbased approach through five groups of rights-based interventions, namely: 1) Right toFood; 2) Right to Protection (including vital registration and psycho-social support); 3)Right to Education (including non-formal education); 4) Right to Access Basic Services(including health and socioeconomic services); and 5) Right to Participation. The sixtharea of the NPA covered support to cross-cutting issues such as coordination, monitoringand evaluation.Findings from the MTR revealed that despite registering significant achievements,implementation of the NPA faced a number of challenges which negatively affected itsimpact. One of the central challenges of the NPA was the lack of a strong M&E frameworkto track both programme and financial progress in achieving the goals and objectives of theplan. There was a weak understanding of the logical framework approach among all partnersinvolved, including the results framework. Overall, the M&E system of the NPA wasgenerally not systematic. On child participation, the study observed that it was limited tochildren expressing their needs and desires which were largely not taken seriously despitebeing provided with platforms. The study further noted that the statistics indicated thatrelief-based or emergency food relief was not adequate to address malnutrition,particularly chronic malnutrition. On education, the study noted that there are still highdrop-out rates in the country. In addition, it is estimated that only 30 percent of primaryschool entrants complete 10 years of education (seven years of primary school and threeyears of lower-secondary school), and only 23 percent finish the full secondary cycle.The first and most important lesson obtained from the MTR findings is that costing of theNPA without further mobilizing the funds and distributing them to the implementers is alikely to undermine the successful implementation of the NPA. The second lesson learntwas that developing a plan and implementing it without putting in place a concreteadvocacy strategy yields to poor ownership of the plan. The study also noted that in orderto better orient services where they are necessary and to ensure they reach the neediestchildren, more efforts must be put into the development of an effective M&E systemwhich does not only track what is being done in a project, but also whether or not it ismaking a difference. Lastly, the review felt that the structure of the NPA for OVC wastoo detailed and focused more on inputs and outputs at the expense of outcomes andimpacts. The focus on inputs resulted in stakeholders tracking activity implementationonly, rather than outcomes and changes in the situation of OVC and their households.23

The key recommendation of the MTR is to align the new NPA to the new Children’s Policy2008 which is advocating for a children wide approach to addressing children’s issues otherthan focusing on OVC only to ensure that the NPA is operating within the national policyframework for children and therefore effectively contribute to national priorities of theGovernment of Swaziland. Other recommendations included a complete redesign of the newNPA to remain at a higher level as it is a strategic document but supported with an NPAactivities plan for the lower level activities; development of a more systematic M&E systemfor the NPA; capacity building for enhanced coordination and implementation of the NPA atcommunity, regional, inkhundhla and national level.24

3.0 THE NATIONAL PLAN OF ACTION FOR CHILDREN (2011-2015)3.1 STRUCTURE & IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NPAThe National Plan of Action (2011-2015) is designed to provide a bridge between theNational Children’s Policy (2008) and Activity Implementation Plans by variousstakeholders in different sectors in provision of protection, care and support services tochildren in fulfillment of their rights. It will therefore adopt a programmatic approachwithin the framework of the eight key thematic policy issues as articulated by theNational Children’s Policy, namely: 1) Education; 2) Health, Clean Water andSanitation; 3) Children with Disabilities; 4) Care and Support; 5) PsychosocialSupport; 6) Food and Nutrition Security; 7) Socio-Economic Security; and 8) ChildProtection and Legal Support. The eight will be complemented by thematic area number9) Cross Cutting Issues of A) Research, monitoring and evaluation, B) NPAcoordination, partnership and capacity building arrangements. By adopting the 8+1thematic areas, the Government of Swaziland is making an attempt to ensure that theNPA is in sync with the National Children’s Policy. The breakdown in eachprogrammatic area is detailed in a matrix format which includes details on the BroadOutcomes, Key Results Expected against each broad outcome, Result Based Indicatorsand Outcome Indicators. The NPA being a strategic document, is supported by a separateparallel NPA Activities Implementation Plan (2011-2015) which contains specificactivities to be carried out in the 5 year period. The NPA will be implemented by crediblepartners with a support budget spanning 2011-2015. Costing, resource tracking andmonitoring of the NPA for All Children will be coordinated by the NCCU which ishoused in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.3.2 KEY INSTRUMENTSThe NPA for all Children has been developed in respect of key global and national goalsand commitments in line with international and national human rights instruments,policies and other guiding principles. These key national and international instrumentsare:A. Key National Instruments1. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland 2005The Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland 2005 provides a legal framework for theprotection of the rights of children and the general population. It specifically provides forthe right of children to know and be cared for by their parents or guardians, access toeducation, medical treatment, and protection from all forms of exploitation and abuse andabolish the status of illegitimacy for children born out of wedlock. Despite theseprovisions, a number of legislations are yet to be put in place to adequately provide forthe protection, promotion and fulfillment of children’s rights.25

2. National Development Strategy (NDS): Vision 2022 (NDS), 1999The NDS is the country’s overarching strategy for development in all spheres of life.There are a number of issues touching children as a result the NDS should also beconsidered as a reference.3. National Poverty Reduction Strategy and Action Plan (PRSAP)The PRSAP is framework for achieving put in place by Government to reduce anderadicate poverty in Swaziland. It put in place strategies to provide social protection tovulnerable groups including children and how the quality of life can be best improved.4. National Population Policy Framework for Swaziland, 2002This policy recognizes children and young people as “Special Groups” requiring specifictargeting in issues of abuse, HIV and AIDS and the necessity to strengthen the structuresthat are responsible for these issues.5. National Multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS Policy, 2006The multi-dimensional impact of HIV and AIDS on Swazi society has meant that nosector has remained untouched. This policy touches on a number of aspects of HIV andAIDS that affect children.6. The National Youth Policy, 2002This policy articulates issues affecting vulnerable target groups and the youth.B. Key International Instruments1. Convention on the Rights of the ChildAt the international level, the National Policy on Children is backed by the (CRC). TheGovernment of Swaziland is committed to ensuring that the rights of children and thegeneral population are protected. Swaziland ratified the Convention on the Rights of theChild in 1995. In ratifying the CRC, the Government of Swaziland took on a collectiveresponsibility to respect, protect and promote the rights of children. These responsibilitiescut across all the organs of Government, at both ministerial level, and decentralizedlevels, including the Chiefs and their Councils, and all sectors of society.Additionally, the Government of Swaziland submitted its initial report (CRC/C/SWZ/1)to the UN Committee on CRC and at its 1173rd and 1175th meetings (seeCRC/C/SR.1173 and CRC/C/SR.1175), held on 18 September 2006, and adopted, at the1199th meeting, held on 29 September 2006, under Article 44 of the Convention. TheCommittee commended the report for its being self-critical and analytical in nature,which gave a better understanding of the situation of children in Swaziland. TheCommittee was also encouraged by the frank and constructive dialogue it had with theSwaziland’s high-level multi-sectoral delegation and welcomed the positive reactions tothe suggestions and recommendations made during the discussion. The Committee alsowelcomed a number of positive developments in the reporting period that included:26

) The adoption of the Constitution Act of 2005, which incorporates human rights indomestic law and contains specific provisions regarding the recognition andprotection of the rights of the child;c) The amendment of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (Section 223 bis),which resulted in the establishment of the Children’s Court within the High Court in2005;d) The adoption of the National HIV and AIDS policy and the Second National Strategicand Action Plan (2006-2008);e) The establishment of the Ministry of Regional Development and Youth Affairs inApril 2006; andf) The establishment of the Children’s Centre Clinical Excellency, a special healthfacility for children infected with HIV/AIDS.The Committee however noted some few principal areas of concern and made 72recommendations to that effect. The Committee further invited Swaziland to submit aconsolidated second, third and fourth report by 5 April 2011 (that is, 18 months beforethe due date of the fourth report). The Government of Swaziland is in the process ofconsidering the recommendations and preparing for the next submission.2. The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African ChildThe Government of Swaziland is a signatory to the ACRWC 1990 which stipulates thestate’s obligations with respect to the rights and responsibilities of the child. Swazilandhas not yet ratified the ACRWC. However, the ACRWC embodies key human rightsprinciples in protecting the rights of children. Article 4 of the African Charter stipulatesthat in all actions concerning the child undertaken by any person or authority, the bestinterests of the child shall be the primary consideration.3. The ILO Convention on Minimum Age of Admission to Employment (1973)Swaziland ratified the ILO Convention 138 of 1973 in October 2002. It requires that stateparties pursue a national policy designed to ensure the effective abolition of child labourand to progressively raise the minimum age for admission to employment or work to alevel consistent with the fullest physical and mental development of young persons. Itstates that the minimum age for work likely to jeopardise the health, safety or moralsshould be at least 18 years. The Convention also recognises that laws may permitemployment of children 13 to 15 years of age in light work that is unlikely to be harmfulto their health or development and will not prejudice their benefiting from school orvocational programmes. Work done in schools or as part of a certified programme ofeducation or training is allowed, provided certain safeguards are in place.4. The ILO Convention concerning the Prohibition and Immediate Action for theElimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labor 182 (1999)The Convention, referred to as the Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL) Convention,came into effect in November 2000 and was ratified by Swaziland in October 2002. The27

Convention requires ratifying countries to take immediate and effective measures toeliminate the worst forms of child labour.5. The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction(1996)Swaziland has not ratified this Convention. Signatory states to the Convention agree to anapproach to children’s custody that protects children from the harmful effects of wrongfulremoval or retention. The Convention also requires states to establish procedures toensure prompt return to the country of origin and residence.6. World Fit for Children Declaration (2001)The World Fit for Children (WFC) declaration reaffirms the Government of Swaziland’sobligation to take action in the promotion, protection and fulfillment of the rights of thechild including adolescents. The Government pledges its determination to respect thedignity and to secure the well-being of all children. The Government acknowledges thatthe CRC is the most universally embraced human rights treaty in history, and theOptional Protocols contain a comprehensive set of international legal standards for theprotection of children.7. Millennium Development Goals; and the Eastern and Southern Africa RegionalWorkshop on Children affected by HIV and AIDS, Windhoek (2003).In September 2000, the 191 Member Countries of the United Nations, includingSwaziland, adopted the Millennium Declaration which contained eight goals forsustainable development. Through the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), theGovernment of Swaziland committed itself to making substantial progress towards theeradication of poverty and achieving other human development goals by the year 2015.Most of the goals are related to children.8. Convention on the rights of pp with disabilitiesThe convention of 2007, which the Government of Swaziland has signed but is yet toratify, ensures that persons with disabilities enjoy the same human rights as everyoneelse, and are able to lead their lives as fully-fledged citizens who can make valuablecontributions to society if given the same opportunities. It covers rights such as equality,non-discrimination and equal recognition before the law; liberty and security of theperson; accessibility, personal mobility and independent living; right to health, work andeducation; and participation in political and cultural life. The treaty will enter into forcewhen ratified by at least 20 countries.28

3.3 GUIDING PRINCIPLESThe ten underlying values or guiding principles described below will influence the waythe NPA for All Children (2011-2015) will be implemented as a constant reference tonational efforts to fulfill and protect vulnerable children’s rights in Swaziland accordingto the Children’s Policy (2008):1. Best interest of the childThe CRC states that in each and every decision affecting the child, various possiblesolutions must be considered; and due weight must be given to the child’s best interests.This principle is immediately relevant to orphans and vulnerable children wheredecisions are being made regarding their caretakers; property and futures but extendfurther to all matters that concern children, including development of policies,legislations, programmes and allocation of public resources.2. Non-discriminationAll children should be given the opportunity to enjoy the rights recognized by the CRC.The Government of Swaziland will therefore identify the most vulnerable anddisadvantaged children and take affirmative action to ensure that the rights of thesechildren are realized and protected.3. Right to survival, well-being and developmentThe CRC is grounded in the recognition of the right to child survival, well-being anddevelopment. The principle is in no way limited to a physical perspective; rather, itfurther emphasizes the need to ensure full and harmonious development of the child,including the spiritual, moral, psychological and social levels. The Government ofSwaziland is therefore obliged to undertake strategies to assist the most disadvantagedchildren including those who are orphaned, vulnerable or with special needs ordisabilities.4. Right for the view of the childThis principle affirms that all children are entitled to express their views in all mattersaffecting them and requires that those views be given due weight in accordance with thechild’s age and maturity. It recognizes the potential of children to enrich the decisionmakingprocesses and to participate as citizens and actors of change. This principleunderscores the importance of ensuring that children participate in decisions that affectthem such as those concerning their care, support, inheritance and that they haveimportant contributions to make in their well-being and development.5. Family- centred approachThe NPA for All Children is founded on a family-centred approach. This refers to anapproach that has the family as a focal point to services affecting vulnerable children.This is in view of the fact that in Swaziland, community based family care – kinship andextended family placement is the preferred form of alternative care for vulnerablechildren living without parental care. This form of alternative care allows children to becared for within their community, not uprooted from the environment they grew up in.29

The individual exists within the family as a member of the family. NPA implementerswill therefore take the vulnerable children’s family into consideration when providingtheir services.6. Community participation, ownership and empowermentThe NPA for All Children recognizes that the minds and ideas of people is the greatestresource a community has. It recognizes that true knowledge is a combination of twofactors: 1) an awareness of community development processes; 2) an understanding ofthe context of the environment in which you are working. This is to say every village isdifferent, not only for its geography but for the people that dwell within. In this regard,the NPA will give the community responsibility for both its successes and failures. Toachieve this, the NPA implementers will work to help the community to see that theyneed to take responsibility for their own challenges as well as actions aimed to improvethe welfare of vulnerable children. Through active community participation, theimplementers shall respect the right of the public to be involved in the decision makingprocess on issues affecting vulnerable children. They shall also seek to fully engagepeople in the process of learning, growth and change. Above all, the initiativesimplemented shall undertake to discourage dependency on welfare by ensuring that thatpeople are empowered for self-reliance through adoption of effective developmentapproaches.7. Community capacity developmentThe NPA for All Children recognizes that effective implementation of community basedchildren’s initiatives aimed to promote the welfare of vulnerable children can beconceptualized as the involvement of local leadership, policy advocacy and enhancementof existing social infrastructure. Leadership provides a driving force for implementationof local initiatives; Policy advocacy ensures access to children’s rights; while use of localcommunity resources and infrastructure ensures sustainability of the developmentinitiatives. The NPA will therefore endeavor to respond to the needs of communitycapacity development to enable initiatives achieve realistic gains that will especiallybenefit vulnerable children.8. Rights based approachThe NPA for All Children 2011-2015 is building on the previous NPA for OVC. Onedistrict feature of the previous NPA was its rights based approach. The current NPAseeks to maintain the approach within the context of the 8 thematic areas cited in theChildren’s Policy. Just like the previous NPA, the current NPA recognizes that the rightsbased approach translates poor people’s needs into rights, and recognizes individuals asactive subjects and stakeholders. It further identifies the obligations of the government totake steps, through legislation, policies and programmes, to respect, promote and fulfillthe human rights of all children, especially the most vulnerable. In this respect, thecurrent NPA continues to propagate children’s right to education, health, water,sanitation, hygiene, economic empowerment, protection, and participation in programsthat affect their lives in line with the Children’s Policy objectives.30

9. Targeting the most vulnerable childrenUnlike the previous NPA for OVCs, the current NPA is for all children. This policy shiftis an attempt to align the NPA 2011-2015 to the National Children’s Policy 2008. Themove however recognizes that although all children may be in need, there are still somethat are always most vulnerable. As such, the current NPA maintains the principle oftargeting with a goal to optimize resource utilization in an environment of resourceconstraints. For purposes of the implementation, the current NPA will specifically targetvulnerable children defines as made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS, namely: double,maternal orphans, children who are parents or caretakers of other children, children livingin child-headed households, the homeless and unaccompanied children; children withspecial needs with particular attention to the girl child and children of parents withphysical, psychological and sensory impairments; children with disabilities; childrensubjected to all forms of abuse and neglect particularly sexual abuse and exploitation,physical violence and abuse, emotional, psychological abuse and neglect; childrensubjected to worst forms of child labour in both formal and informal sectors; youngoffenders; children living in the streets; abandoned children; children in need ofmaintenance; and children living in any other difficult circumstances. Others includethose that are affected and/or infected by HIV and AIDS, married children, neglectedchildren, children with chronically e.g. diabetes, children with ill parent(s) and children incontact with the law.10. Results Based management and Evidence Based ProgrammingThe NPA for All Children is founded on the principle of Results Based Management andEvidence Based Programming to assist implementers in establishing a foundation tosupport a strong commitment to evidence based planning and results, a primeresponsibility of public service providers. Through this approach, the NPA intends tohelp service providers supporting the cause of vulnerable children focus on measuringand reporting on outcomes and replanning throughout the lifecycle of the NPA based ontangible evidence to ensure informed strategy and action.11. Quality Standards for all servicesThe NPA for All Children will ensure that the support that is given to children shall be ofvery high quality. This more so with OVC who have no one to look for their basic needs.This quality underscores the fact that all children irrespective of their social standing areeligible to access their basic needs so that their vulnerable social standing should notcompromise the quality of such support.3.4 THE NPA (2011-2015) STRATEGIC OBJECTIVESThe NPA for All Children (2011-2015) is guided by the following 8+1 strategicobjectives in line with the National Children’s Policy:Strategic Objective 1: Quality of education strengthened for all children throughimproved learning environment and enhanced access to enhance their right to education31

Strategic Objective 2: The health status of all children improved by providingpreventative, promotive, curative, and rehabilitative social services that are of a highquality, relevant, accessible, affordable, equitable and socially acceptable to enhance theirright to health.Strategic Objective 3: Barriers which prevent children with disabilities from accessingthe same development opportunities accessed by other children removed to improve theirquality of life to enhance their enjoyment of rights and fundamental freedoms withoutdistinction.Strategic Objective 4: Coordination of service delivery to reach all children in need ofcare and support improved to enhance their right to enjoy opportunities and provision ofbasic needs such as clothing, health, shelter, safe water, and hygiene.Strategic Objective 5: A holistic psychosocial environment for the well being anddevelopment of children improved to meet their physical, social, emotional, spiritual,cognitive and mental needs to enhance their right to live meaningful and positive lives.Strategic Objective 6: Improved short and long term household food security andnutrition status of children to enhance their right to physical well being.Strategic Objective 7: The economic coping capacity of vulnerable children, householdsand communities strengthened to enhance their right to basic needs.Strategic Objective 8: Environment for child protection, legal support and access tobasic rights improvedStrategic Objective 9:(A) Improved coordination, partnerships and capacity building arrangements onchildren's issues at community, inkhundla, regional and national levels(B) Improved capacity for research, monitoring and evaluation of children's issues atcommunity, inkhundla, regional and national levels.32

3.5 THE NPA 2011-2015) INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTSPARLIAMENTCHILDREN’SCOMMITTEEDEPUTY PRIMEMINISTERNCCU (Board) Project Steering Committee(DPM, MOF, MEPD, MOE, MOH, MOJ,MRDYA, MOAC, CANGO, Donors)CABINET Poverty Sub-CommitteeMOF, MOAC, MEPD, MOE,MOHSW, MOJ, MORDYA, DPM,NATIONAL CHILDRENCOORDINATION UNITPoverty Reduction UnitWith Poverty ReductionTask ForceTWG Monitoring & EvaluationNational Child Protection NetworkTechnical WorkingGroupLegal IssuesRights of theChild& ChildLabourTechnicalWorkingGroupHealthChildren’sFORUMTechnicalWorkingGroupEducationTWGSocial WelfareandPsychosocialsupport &DisabilitiesTechnicalWorking GroupCommunityDevelopmentFood SecurityOVC Sub committees, under REMSHACC, IN ALL FOUR REGIONSTIMSHACC - Indvuna Yenkhundla, Inkhundla Secretary, Bucopho, IN ALL FOURREGIONSCOMSHACC (OVC) COMBINE ALL ISSUES FOR CHILDRENAt chiefdom LevelALL Care GiversBagcugcuteli,KaGogo, Lutsango,etcNGOsGOVTOfficialsBucophoLiphoyisalemangoUmgijimi/Mangwana33

National Level3.5.1 Coordination, Technical and Managerial BodiesParliament Portfolio Committee for ChildrenThe Parliament Portfolio Committee for Children, headed by the Parliament Clerk, willfacilitate approval of legislation related to children, ratification of children’s instrumentsby Government, advocate for the rights of children, monitor cabinet members andgovernment on implementation of programmes for children to enable them realize theirrights.Cabinet Poverty Sub-CommitteeHeaded by the Cabinet Secretary, the Cabinet Poverty Sub-Committee will approvepolicies and commit the state on children’s issues through signing and ratification ofinternational conventions and protocols. The Sub-Committee will also perform thenational coordination function through monitoring of the NCCU Project SteeringCommittee, Poverty Reduction Task Force and child poverty in the country.NCCU Project Steering CommitteeHeaded by a Director, the NCCU Project Steering Committee will give policy directionand monitor the implementation of social protection programmes for vulnerable childrenincluding orphans. The Committee will also facilitate resource mobilization towardsimplementation of the NPA for All Children. It will also make recommendations to theDeputy Prime Minister on policies related to children, report to the Deputy PrimeMinister on the progress of the Social Protection Programmes for Vulnerable Children,monitor various NCCU Technical Working Groups, and monitor implementation ofrelevant parts of “Concluding Observations” of the Committee on the Rights of the ChildPoverty Reduction Task forceThe Poverty Reduction Task Force will review budget proposals from NCCU. It will alsohold meetings with NCCU to obtain updates on progress related to child protectionprogrammes. Its members will also participate in the Monitoring and EvaluationCommittee to provide technical input towards the M&E agenda.National Children’s Coordination UnitThe National Children’s Coordination Unit (NCCU) has been established under theDeputy Prime Minister’s (DPM) Office with a Project Steering Committee chaired by thePrincipal Secretary in the DPM’s office. The Unit brings together Government, civilsociety and private sector stakeholders involved in the protection and promotion ofchildren’s rights. The responsibility of the National Children’s Coordination Unit is toprovide overall leadership in the coordination, monitoring and evaluation of the policyand programmes. Specifically, the NCCU will inform stakeholders on programmeactivities for child protection and mechanisms for accessing support, provide informationto all stakeholders in the form of meetings and reports, monitor and evaluateprogrammes, mobilize resources for children’s programme, design programmes for34

esource mobilization, coordinate donor funding directed to children’s programmes, andensure efficient utilization of resources. Its detailed ToRs are in appendix.Monitoring and Evaluation Committee,The Monitoring and Evaluation Committee will set up the Data Collection System for theNPA. The committee will also design a monitoring and evaluation mechanism for theNPA that is user friendly to all partners. When the system kick starts, the committee willreceive and analyze data, provide policy proposals, monitor and evaluate theimplementation and coordination of the whole M&E system.Technical working groups (Law & Policy, Health, Children’s Forum, Education,Social Welfare, Community Development, PSS and Monitoring and Evaluation)Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will coordinate all activities related to theimplementation of the NPA for All Children and network with all other stakeholders.They will also assist stakeholders in the designing of child related strategies andprograms, budgets and community micro-schemes. Additionally, they will save aslinkage between regional activities, NCCU and PSC. They will also recommendlegislation, policies and programmes to the Project Steering Committee, set standards forQuality Assurance that will enable stakeholders implement initiative in a manner thatthey contribute to the child to develop, grow and survive to attain their rights. The TWGswill be chaired by Directors of relevant government ministries and will draw membershipfrom the following stakeholders: MOHSW, MOE, DPM, RS, MOAC, MOJ, MRDYA,MOF, MOEPD, Relevant NGOs, UNICEF, CANGO, Charity Organizations, NutritionalCouncil, and NERCHANational Child Protection NetworkThis shall comprise all stakeholders involved in child related programmes and allmembers of technical working groups. The network shall act as a forum for stakeholdersmeetings for information on progress regarding children’s programmes at grassroots leveland obtain feedback from NCCU and technical working groups on progress related to thechild protection programmes. Meets quarterlySub Networks/Task forces – meet monthlyPSS, LL, NCP, Disability, Schools as Centres of Care (SCCS), WASH, ECCD,Regional LevelRegional Multi- Sectoral Coordinating Committee (REMSHACC)This will operate at regional level and will be chaired by RS. Its role shall be to review allcommunity and NGO initiatives/proposals and make recommendations for support toNCCU through TWGs. They will also facilitate project implementation and ensureefficient utilization of public resources by implementers.35

Community LevelTinkhundla Multi-sectoral HIV and AIDS Coordinating CommitteeThis Committee shall comprise Indvuna yeNkhundla, Bucopho, iNkhundla Secretary andshall be chaired by Indvuna yeNkhundla. Its role shall be to coordinate child relatedcommunity activities, inform communities on new policies or programmes, eliminateduplication of the same activities in the same areas, facilitate implementation of childrelated programmes, monitor the child related programmes and ensure that standardsrequired are met by each grassroots organizationCommunity Multi- Sectoral HIV & AIDS Coordinating Committee (COMSHACC)This committee shall facilitate community level problem and project identification andcommunity needs assessment for child related initiatives. It shall identify communitycapacity and select vulnerable children with the help of experts and recommend them torelevant authorities for support. The committee will further promote the improvement ofthe welfare of the child, identify community development activities to reduce thevulnerability of the child, and maintain database for vulnerable children. In collaborationwith Bucopho, the committee shall inform Bandlancane on progress of child relatedprogrammes and request for assistance where necessary. Most importantly, the committeeshall ensure that child rights are mainstreamed in children’s programmes.36

3.6 MONITORING & EVALUATION SYSTEMMonitoring and evaluation functions for the NPA for ALL Children shall be undertakenat all levels to enhance accountability and effectiveness of tracking progress and impactof programmes in relation to the NPA including re-planning of interventions. This willrequire developing and establishing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, whichinclude the following:a) Develop and strengthen the M&E coordination mechanisms for the NPA atnational, regional, district and community levels through relevant structuresb) Develop an M&E Framework for the NPA for All Childrenc) Conduct a situation analysis and baseline study to inform the M&EFrameworkd) Develop and strengthen M&E tools for tracking data collection, analysis anddissemination at all levelse) Develop capacity for M&E coordination at all levels including stakeholdersf) Establishing internal monitoring and evaluation structures to regularly look atthe effectiveness and impact of the NPA for All Childreng) Develop and strengthen a reporting system for the M&E system to ensureunhindered flow and utilization of informationThe NCCU will be at the centre of championing this process because of its strategicpositioning in the DPMs office, the host for the NPA for All Children.37

3.7 THE NPA FOR ALL CHILDREN (2011-2015) MATRICES3.7.1 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: EDUCATIONStrategic Objective: Quality of education strengthened for all children through improved learning environment andenhanced access to enhance their right to educationKey actors:1. Ministry of Education2. Ministry of Regional and Youth Affairs3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS1.1 Improved access to freecompulsory inclusive basiceducation for all children1.1.1 Access to appropriateremedial education to facilitatethe retention of most vulnerablechildren in the education systemprovided1.1.1.1 Net school drop out in ECCD,primary and secondary school School attendance ratio of orphansas compared to non orphans (2-18of age) : a) ECCD, b) primary b)secondary school1.1.1.2 Absenteeism rate in ECCD, Net enrolment rate in primary1.2 Improved access to quality,relevant basic education whichmeets children’s individualneeds.1.1.2 All children attending nonformaleducation or no educationat all integrated into formaleducation1.2.1 Relevance and quality ofbasic education improved tomeet individual needs of themost vulnerable childrenprimary and secondary school1.1.2.1 Revised policy to extend freeprimary school education policy tocover pre-schools and the non formaleducation sector1.2.1.1 Average # of teachers trainedin LSE, rights education andprovision of PSS per schooleducation by sexGender parity index for primaryschool1.2.2 Children’s access tonutritious and well-balancedmeals during school hoursimproved.1.2.2.1 Proportion of ECCDs andprimary schools running acomprehensive school feedingprogram during school time38

1.3 Equitable access andopportunities within theeducation system taking intoconsideration gender balance1.4 Secure and child-friendlyenvironment at schools.1.2.3 Teacher training qualityimproved to address needs ofmost vulnerable children1.3.1 Universal quality ECCDservices and programmes thatare affordable and accessible toall children provided1.3.2 Initial and continuousaccess to education, irrespectiveof life circumstances improvedfor the most vulnerable children1.3.3 Educational programmesaimed at addressing theeducational needs of the mostvulnerable children integrated1.4.1 PSS integrated into allaspects of education for holisticprovision and support to children1.4.2 Schools and childrenempowered to deal with anyforms of child abuse anddiscrimination among children1.2.3.1 Revised teacher trainingcurriculum to incorporate PSS, LSE,rights education and gender1.3.1.1 Trained care giver to childratio in ECCD1.3.2.1 % of pregnant girls andchildren with disability retained inschool1.3.3.1 Proportion of vulnerablechildren accessing the bursary fundby gender and age1.4.1.1 Child to trained teachercounselor ratio1.4.2.1 Life Skills Education (LSE)approved as an examinable subject inprimary & secondary school39

3.7.2 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: HEALTH, CLEAN WATER AND SANITATIONStrategic Objective: The health status of all children improved by providing preventative, promotive, curative, andrehabilitative social services that are of a high quality, relevant, accessible, affordable, equitable and socially acceptableto enhance their right to health.Key actors:i. Ministry of Health & Social Welfareii. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDSiii. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS2.1.1 The integrated2.1.1.1 Proportion of eligible Ratio of orphans accessing health2.1 Improved child, survival, management of childhood illness children immunized by age and care compared to non orphanswell being and development approach strengthened and genderand reduced mortality.expanded to effectively targetthe most vulnerable children.2.1.2 PMTCT strengthened andexpanded2.1.3 Linkage between ECD andhealth for children strengthened2.1.4 Nutrition and hygiene ofthe most vulnerable children2.1.1.2 % of children aged 6-59months who have received vitaminA, zinc and iron supplementation byage and gender2.1.1.3 Proportion of children thathave been de-wormed by age andgender2.1.1.4 Proportion of children growthmonitored by age and gender2.1.2.1 Proportion of HIV+ pregnantwomen receiving ARVs for PMTCT2.1.2.2 Proportion of HIV infectedchildren receiving ART2.1.3.1 Proportion of ECCD centreslinked to health services2.1.4.1 Exclusive breastfeeding rate(

2.2 Improved access to HIV andAIDS prevention for children2.3 Improved access to HIVtreatment for children2.4 Increased access to water,sanitation and hygiene inschools, NCPs and householdsimproved2.2.1 Comprehensive servicesfor prevention including VCTresponsive to the needs of themost vulnerable childrenimproved and expanded.2.2.2 Access to RH servicesresponsive to the needs ofvulnerable children in and out ofschool strengthened andexpanded2.3.1 Comprehensive servicesfor care and treatment includingpositive treatments responsive tothe needs of the most vulnerablechildren improved andexpanded.2.4.1 Safe water services atschools, NCP and householdssupported by sustainablemaintenance mechanismsimproved2.3.2 Sanitation facilities andhygiene at schools, NCPs andhouseholds improved2.1.4.2 Proportion of schoolsimplementing the “building capacityof schools as centres of care andsupport”2.2.1.1 % of young people between14-18 tested for HIV in the last 12months and know their status2.2.2.1 Proportion of health facilitiesmeeting minimum standards forprovision of youth friendly RHservices2.2.2.2 Proportion of adolescentsengaging in sexual debut before 14years of age2.3.1.1 % of HIV exposed infantsreceiving CTX prophylaxis2.3.1.2 % of vulnerable enrolled onHBC2.3.1.1 # of schools, NCPs and HHmeeting minimum standards foraccessing safe water sources withsustainable maintenance mechanisms2.3.2.1 # of schools, NCPs & HHmeeting minimum standards foraccessing improved sanitationfacilities41

3.7.3 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIESStrategic Objective: Barriers which prevent children with disabilities from accessing the same developmentopportunities accessed by other children removed to improve their quality of life to enhance their enjoyment of rightsand fundamental freedoms without distinction.Key actors:1. Ministry of Health & Social Welfare2. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS3. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS3.1 Improved environment forrealization of all human rightsand fundamental freedoms forall children with disabilities onan equal basis with otherchildren without discriminationof any kind and on the basis ofa disability.3.1.1 Legal and policyenvironment improved forchildren with disabilities3.1.1.1 Sign language legislated asone of the official languages ofcommunication.Proportion of children withdisability that have 3 locallydefined basic needs met3.1.2 Capacity for dealing withissues affecting children withdisability improved at householdand community levelstrengthened3.1.1.2 # of constitutional provisionsprotecting the rights of children withdisabilities translated into nationallaws.3.1.2.1 # of children with disabilitytrained in vocational skills3.1.2.1 % of children with disabilityexperiencing stigma anddiscrimination because of theirorphan and vulnerable statusSchool attendance ratio of childrenwith disability as compared tochildren without disability: a)ECCD b) primary b) secondaryschool42

3.1.3 Research on childdisability issues and datamanagement on status ofdisabilities improved.3.1.4.1 Updated date on childdisability issues and status ofdisability3.2 Mainstreamed disabilityissues in all existing and newprograms and structures forchildren.3.3. Improved access to basicand specialized services tochildren with disabilities.3.4 Improved basic educationalopportunities to all childrenwith disabilities.3.2.1 Capacity for mainstreameddisability programming forchildren strengthened.3.2.2 Awareness activities andmeasures aimed at preventingdisability among childrenincluding early identification ofdisability expanded.3.3.1 Access to free health careand medical services to childrenwith disabilities improved.3.3.2 Rehabilitation & assistivetechnology services and devicesfor children with disabilityimproved.3.4.1 Capacity for addressingeducational needs of childrenwith disability in schoolsimproved3.4.2 Access to quality ECCDservices to children withdisabilities improved.3.2.1.1 # of physically challengedvulnerable children supported withbasic infrastructure, equipment andsupport3.2.1.2 Disability desk for childrencreated in all sectors of societyincluding the private sector andParliament.3.2.2.1 # of professionals & caregivers trained in early identificationand assessment of disabilities3.3.1.1 Proportion of children withdisabilities supported with free healthand medical care3.3.2.1 Proportion of children withdisabilities supported with assistivetechnology services and devices3.4.1.1 Proportion of schools withstandard facilities and infrastructurefor physically challenged children3.4.2.1 Proportion care givers offeredthe standard ECD skills trainingincluding care for children withdisability43

3.7.4 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CARE AND SUPPORTStrategic Objective: Coordination of service delivery to reach all children in need of care and support improved toenhance their right to enjoy opportunities and provision of basic needs such as clothing, health, shelter, safe water, andhygiene.Key actors:1. Ministry of Health & Social Welfare2. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS3. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS4.1 Improved coordination andmonitoring of quality care andsupport services for childrenProportion of vulnerable childrenthat have 3 locally defined basicneeds met4.2 Improved capacity forgovernment, communityleaders, caregivers and familieson their roles andresponsibilities that affectchildren.4.1.1 Regulatory andmechanisms to maintainstandards, and monitor thequality of care provided to allchildren to ensure adherenceimproved.4.1.2 Coordination mechanismsfor service delivery to vulnerablechildren strengthened.4.2.1 Traditional structures atfamily, community and nationallevels that are conducive for thegrowth and development of thechild identified & strengthened.4.1.1.1 Standard tool for assessingwhether a child is in need of care andshould be placed in residential care(vulnerability/means test)4.1.2.1 Functional national data baseand registry for all children4.1.2.2 # of forums held onchildren’s issues4.2.1.1 # of vulnerable childrenaccessing formal foster care oradoption4.2.1.2 % households caring fororphans4.2.1.3 Proportion of registeredorphanages44

4.3 Improved capacity forprovision of vulnerable childrenwith basic needs such as,health, emotional support, and asafe environment to fostersecurity and belonging.4.3.1 The psychosocialenvironment (internal andexternal) conducive for thegrowth and development ofvulnerable children improved.4.3.1.1 % of children enrolled onHBC4.3.1.2 # of school health nurses4.3.1.3 Proportion of ECCD centresmeeting IMCI guidelines of childcare45

3.7.5 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORTStrategic Objective: A holistic psychosocial environment for the well being and development of children improved tomeet their physical, social, emotional, spiritual, cognitive and mental needs to enhance their right to live meaningful andpositive lives.Key actors:1. Ministry of Health & Social Welfare2. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS3. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS5.1 Improved capacity offamilies, communities and allsectors of society on a holisticpsychosocial support that willpromote a conduciveenvironment for children tocope with situations affectingtheir wellbeing.5.1.1 Capacity for families,community leaders,organizations and caregivers onholistic psychosocial supportstrengthened.5.1.1.1 % of vulnerable childrenexperiencing stigma anddiscrimination because of theirorphan and vulnerable statusProportion of OVC that receiveappropriate PSS5.1.2 Programmes and advocacyon PSS targeting vulnerablechildren to all sectors of societystrengthened.5.1.3 Research focusing on thePSS and interventions for mostvulnerable children to provide aholistic psychosocial supportiveenvironment strengthened.5.1.4 National capacity toprovide professional clinicalpersonnel for PSS improved.5.1.2.1 Proportion of vulnerablechildren reached with PSS support5.1.3.1 Updated data PSS andinterventions for most vulnerablechildren5.1.4.1 # of professionally trainedclinical personnel in PSS.% of vulnerable children aged 0-17whose household receives externalemotional support in caring for thechildren46

5.2 Improved nationalcoordination mechanism onpsychosocial support programsand activities at all levels ofsociety.5.2.1 Coordination at national,regional and community level ofall stakeholders dealing withPSS of all children strengthened.5.2.1.1 # of functional PSS networksfor children at national, regional andcommunity level5.2.2 Resource delivery toenable the provision of PSS andimplementation of programmesand activities at communities,families and all sectors ofsociety improved.5.1.1.2 PSS mainstreamed in allrelevant services and programmes forchildren particularly in education andcommunity health sectors5.2.2.1 Child to LL (child protectors)ratio47

3.7.6 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITIONStrategic Objective: Improved short and long term household food security and nutrition status of children to enhancetheir right to physical well being.Key actors:1. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives2. Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS6.1 Improved subsistence and 6.1.1 The role of children and 6.1.1.1 Proportion of child headed Malnutrition ratio between orphanscommercial agricultural youth in agricultural skills households engaged in agricultural and non orphansproductivity of households andthe access to markets.strengthened with a special focuson children heading households.production6.1.2 Access to water forirrigation & small scaleagriculture improved to reducedependence on rain-fedagriculture.6.1.3 Use of land & wateraccording to bio-physicalsuitability and viability by NCPsand households keepingvulnerable children improved6.1.4 Children’s and householdaccess to farm inputs, smallcredit and appropriateproduction technology improved6.1.2.1 Proportion of backyardvegetable land under irrigationfarming at NCPs, community andschools6.1.3.1 Proportion of backyardvegetable land under soilconservation at NCPs, communityand schools6.1.4.1 # of Village Savings andLoan (VS&L) Clubs formed andrunning S&L schemesProportion of households withvulnerable children that receivefree basic external support incaring for the children% of children under five who arestunted48

6.2 Improved start in life forinfants by improving the infantand young child nutrition.6.3 Improved access forchildren to a nutritionallybalanced diet on a sustainablebasis.6.4 Improved disasterpreparedness and response tosafe guard food availability forvulnerable children duringcrisis.6.2.1 Breastfeeding as well asoptimal infant feeding improved6.2.2 Capacity of health workersand communities in supportingmothers on Infant and YoungChild Feeding (IYCF)strengthened.6.3.1 Capacity for nutritionrehabilitation for all childrenimproved6.3.2 Nutrition education forchildren, parents and guardians,onmicronutrientsupplementation, foodfortification, nutrition inemergencies, infant feeding inthe context of HIV and AIDSand families, and the importanceof nutrition to public healthimproved.6.4.1 Community based earlywarning food security systemsand disaster preventionmechanisms for informeddecision-making strengthened.6.2.1.1 Exclusive breastfeeding rate(

6.4.2 Social safety nets forchildren integrated into onechild-friendly social protectionsystem.6.4.2 Advocacy initiatives onclimate change enhanced6.4.2.1 Existing social safety netpolicy for children reviewed andintegrated6.4.2.1 Climate change issuesmainstreamed in children’sprogrammes50

3.7.7 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITYStrategic Objective: The economic coping capacity of vulnerable children, households and communities strengthenedto enhance their right to basic needs.Key actors:1. Ministry of Industry and Trade2. Ministry of Regional and Youth Affairs3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS7.1 Improved socio-economic 7.1.1 Access to life skills, 7.1.1 Proportion of out of school Proportion of children that have 3empowerment of vulnerable vocational training and vulnerable children attending locally defined basic needs metchildren, their families and apprenticeships for vulnerable vocational training and practicingcommunities to break the cycle children improved to create vocational tradesof poverty and vulnerability, opportunities for formal,and enhance quality of life. informal and self-employment.7.1.2 Capacity for sustainableentrepreneurial development tofoster small and medium-scaleenterprises among vulnerablechildren and care giversstrengthened.7.1.3 Environment for womenand children accessing land,credit and other economicresources improved.7.1.4 Social safety net measuresto support children and theirfamilies strengthened.2.4.2.1 # of trained vulnerablechildren and care givers benefitingfrom formal technical and financialservice providers in businessmanagement7.1.3.1 Proportion of women &children in VS&L clubs participatingin VS&L schemes7.1.3.2 Linkages between VS&Lgroups and formal financial lendinginstitutions.7.1.4.1 # of vulnerable childrenbenefiting from social safety netprogrammes51

7.2 Improved socio-economicenvironment for the welfare ofvulnerable children.7.2.1 Advocacy initiatives forimproved policy and legalenvironment for improved socioeconomicwelfare of vulnerablechildren strengthened7.2.1.1 Legal restrictions on womenand children accessing land, creditand other economic resourcesremoved.52

3.7.8 CHILDREN’S POLICY ISSUE: CHILD PROTECTION AND LEGAL SUPPORTStrategic Objective: Environment for child protection, legal support and access to basic rights improvedKey actors:1. Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs2. Ministry of Regional and Youth Affairs3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS8.1 Improved child focused and 8.1.1 Child protection 8.1.1.1 Proportion of abused children Policy, legal and strategy indexrights based protection of mechanisms against all forms of protected by the lawreflecting the progress and qualityvulnerable children.child abuse strengthenedof national policies, laws andstrategies for the support,protection and care of vulnerable8.1.2 Capacity for childprotection at family, school andcommunity level strengthened.8.1.3 Family and communitymechanisms for prevention ofloss of inheritance for vulnerablechildren strengthened.8.1.4 Child friendly socialprotection improved8.1.2.1 Proportion of orphans thatlive together with all their siblings8.1.2.2 % of vulnerable childrenreceiving appropriate referrals incases of abuse and exploitation8.1.3.1 % of widows who haveexperienced cases of propertydispossession8.1.4.1 # of vulnerable childrenaccessing formal foster care oradoptionchildren% of vulnerable children 0-17whose household received externalsupport viii to provide socializationand protection53

8.2 Improved legal frameworkfor and accessible to vulnerablechildren for their protection andwelfare8.3 Improved environment andplatforms for children to8.1.5 Provision of basic andtargeted services for prevention,recovery and integrationimproved.8.2.1 Policy & legal framework& mechanisms for birth andother forms of registration ofchildren strengthened.8.2.2 Policy & legal framework& mechanisms for addressingchild trafficking, child labour,establishment of orphanages,CBOs, foster families and otherinstitutions providing care forchildren strengthened.8.2.3 Functional child-friendlysystems in place to implementthe law and to redress abusesand grievances.8.2.4 Capacity for peopleworking in the administration ofjustice improved to uphold therights of children8.2.5 Community awarenessinitiatives about the existence oflegal protection structures,procedures and facilities forchildren improved.8.3.1 Proportion of childrenparticipating in policy and8.1.5.1 Proportion of children whoare living on the street or are ininstitutional care8.2.1.1Proportion of children withbirth certificates8.2.1.2 # of BMD registrationsconducted8.2.2.1 Proportion of registeredorphanages8.2.2.2 # of policies, laws amended,approved and passed8.2.3.1 # of child friendly spaces atpolice stations8.2.3.2 # of child friendly courtsestablished8.2.4.1 # of trained care givers,community leaders and childprotectors trained on child rights8.2.5.1 Increased awareness ofchildren’s rights and child protectionamong professionals, guardians, caregivers, NCPs and schoolsProportion of children, (includingvulnerable children), that have54

articulate their needs, providefeedback and influence policyand legislationlegislation increased8.3.2 Mechanisms for children toarticulate their needs, providefeedback on access to servicesand state protection and toinform policy and legislativepriorities strengthened8.3.3 Capacity of children, youthgroups and governmentstructures on how to engage withyoung people and theirparticipation in decision makingprocesses improvedactively participated in articulatingtheir needs to influence policy andlegislation8.3.2.1 # of children's and youthforums established and meeting stdfunctional criteria at community,Inkhundhla, regional and nationallevels8.3.3.1 Proportion of children andyoung people participating inprojects that affect them55

3.7.9 (A). CROSS CUTTING ISSUE: NPA COORDINATION, PARTNERSHIP & CAPACITY BUILDINGARRANGEMENTSStrategic Objective: Improved coordination, partnerships and capacity building arrangements on children's issues atcommunity, inkhundla, regional and national levelsKey actors:1. Ministry of Economic Planning and Development2. Ministry of Regional and Youth Affairs3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS9A.1 Improved coordinationmechanisms and partnershipsfor implementation of the NPA9A.1.2.1 Staff positions/vacancyratio (technical and administrative) inthe NCCU secretariat9A.2 Improved capacitybuilding arrangements forimplementation of the NPA9A.1.2 Capacity for national,regional and community levelstructures strengthened toeffectively coordinate the NPAimplementation9A.1.3 Communication amongnational and local organizationsdealing with child support andprotection (including networks)improved.9A.1.4 Coordination, support,monitoring and evaluation of allchildren’s programs improved.9A.2.1 Capacity buildingstrategy for implementation ofthe NPA strengthened9A.1.2.2 Planned/achieved meetingsratio held by national, regional andcommunity level structures onchildren’s issues9A.1.3.1 # of national consultationmeetings on children held withpartners with a mandate to reviewand redirect strategies for the NPAProportion of successful againstunsuccessful programs9A.2.1.1 % of trained care giversretainedIncreased community, donor andpolitical engagement in care,protection and support ofvulnerable children56

9A.2.2 Resources for facilitatingChild Protection Programswithin and outside governmentimproved.9A.2.3 Financial & projectmanagement capacity improvedamong partners forimplementation of the NPA9A.2.1.2 % vulnerable childrensupported9A.2.2.1 Proportion of fundsprovided & used for implementationof the NPA9A.2.3.1 Proportion of fundsreaching children9A.2.3.2 Proportion of partnersprojects implemented successfully57

3.7.9 (B). CROSS CUTTING ISSUE: RESEARCH, MONITORING AND EVALUATIONStrategic Objective: Improved capacity for research, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of children's issues atcommunity, inkhundla, regional and national levelsKey actors:1. Ministry of Economic Planning and Development2. Ministry of Regional and Youth Affairs3. National Emergency Response Council on HIV and AIDS4. National Children’s Coordination UnitBROADER OUTCOMES KEY RESULTS RESULTS BASED INDICATORS OUTCOME INDICATORS9B.1 Improved research,monitoring and evaluation ofchildren’s issues at all levels9B.1.1 M&E system for theNPA for all children improved9B.1.1.1 % partners reporting on keyactivities of the NPAEffective national & decentralizeddata management system in placeon children’s issues9B.1.1.2 NPA data base with updateddata on child vulnerability trends &effectiveness of interventions9B.1.1.3 Proportion of partners usingM&E guidelines for the NPA for9B.1.2 Data management systemfor children not living inhouseholds eg. street children,and those in institutionsimproved to monitor trends andpossible shifts between differenttypes of care as well as trackthose outside the recognized caresystems9B.1.3 Regular monitoring andassessment of the quality of caregiven to children improvedchildren9B.1.2.1 Updated data base onchildren living outside householdsand those in institutions at NCCU &partners9B.1.3.1 Updated database on qualityof care given to children at NCCU &partners58

9B.2 Improved evidence basedadvocacy and communicationon vulnerable children’s issues9B.1.4 Systems at school levelfor recording basic informationon vulnerable children's homecircumstances improved toobtain information that wouldinform action eg. appropriatereferrals9B.2.1 Advocacy andcommunication strategy onissues in the children's policyand for implementation of lawsfor the protection of children'srights strengthened9B.1.4.1 Proportion of schoolskeeping regularly updated records onvulnerable children's homecircumstances9B.2.1.1 Proportion of partners usingthe evidence based advocacy tools9B.2.1.2 # of national macro policyframeworks explicitly integratedvulnerable children9B.2.1.3 # of national laws amendedor formulated to address vulnerablechildren’s issues59

ANNEX 1: COSTED NPA ACTIVITIES IMPLEMENTATION PLAN (2011-2015)60

ANNEX 2: TORS FOR KEY NPA IMPLEMENTATION STRUCTURESInstitutional KeyPlayersParliament PortfolioCommittee for ChildrenCabinet Poverty Sub-CommitteeNCCU Project SteeringCommitteePoverty Reduction TaskforceNational Children’sCoordination UnitMonitoring andEvaluation Committee,Key RoleFacilitate the approve Children Bill, legislation, ratification of Childrights and advocate the rights of the child, monitor cabinet membersand government implementation of programmes for childrenApprove Policies and commit the state on children’s issues signing andratifications of Conventions and Protocols, National coordinationmechanism, and monitoring of NCCU Project Steering Committee,Poverty Reduction Task Force and child poverty in the country, submitpolicies and legislation to the Cabinet Poverty Sub-CommitteeGive policy direction and monitor the implementation of SocialProtection for Vulnerable children including orphans project. Facilitateresource mobilization. Make recommendations to Deputy PrimeMinister on policies related to children. Report to the Deputy PrimeMinister on the progress of the Social Protection of Vulnerablechildren including children, monitor various NCCU TechnicalWorking Groups, and monitor implementation of relevant parts of“Concluding Observations” of the Committee on the Rights of theChildReview budget proposals from NCCU. Hold meetings with NCCU toupdate progress on child protection programmesParticipate in the Monitoring and evaluation CommitteeCoordinate all stakeholders involved in children’s Programmes.Formulate legislations, policies and strategies related to children’sprogrammes. Ensure the respect, promotion, protection and fulfillmentof the rights of children and their basic needs. Inform stakeholders onprogramme activities for child protection and mechanisms foraccessing support. Provide information to all stakeholders in the formof meetings and reports. Monitor and evaluate programmes. MobilizeResources, Design programmes for resource mobilization, Coordinatedonor funding directed to children’s programmes. Ensure efficientutilization of resources.Set up Data Collection System. Design a monitoring and evaluationmechanism that is user friendly to all partners. Receive and analyzedata, provide policy proposals. Monitor and evaluate theimplementation of the whole coordination system.SecretariatServicesParliament ClerkCabinet secretaryDirector, NCCUPoverty unitNCCUNCCU Monitoringand Evaluationofficer61

Technical working groups(Law & Policy, Health,Children’s Forum,Education, SocialWelfare, CommunityDevelopment Monitoringand Evaluation)Coordinate all activities related to the sector and network with allstakeholders, assist in the designs for strategies and programs, budgetsand community micro-schemes. Save as linkage between regionalactivities and NCCU, PSC. Recommend legislations, policies andprogrammes to Project Steering Committee, set standards for QualityAssurance that will enable the child to survive and improve.(One representative from each relevant institutions, MOHSW, MOE,DPM, RS, MOAC, MOJ, MRDYA, MOF, MOEPD, Relevant NGO,UNICEF, CANGO, Charity Organizations, Nutritional Council,NERCHAChair by Directors of relevant Ministries)NCCU TechnicalofficersNational Child ProtectionNetwork -ALL stakeholdersinvolved in child relatedprogrammes. Allmembers of technicalworking groupsRegional Multi- SectoralCoordinating Committeeat regional level Chairedby RSTinkhundla Multi-sectoralHIV and AIDSCoordinating Committee(Indvuna yeNkhundla,Bucopho, iNkhundlaSecretaryChaired by IndvunayeNkhundlaCommunity Multi-Sectoral HIV and AIDSCoordinating Committee(COMSHACC)Forum for stakeholders meetings. Purpose is for information sharingon progress at grassroots level, and feedback from NCCU andtechnical working group’s progress of the child protectionprogrammes.Review by ability of all community and NGO initiatives/proposals andrecommend to TWG (NCCU). Facilitate project implementation,ensure efficient utilization of resources.Coordinate child related community activities, collaborates, motivatesand inform communities on new policies or programmes, eliminatesduplication of the same activitiesFacilitate implementation of child related programmesMonitor the child related programmes and ensure that standardsrequired are met by each grassroots organisationCarry out problem and project identification, community needsassessment. Identify community capacity and selects vulnerablechildren with help of experts and recommend to relevant authorities.Promote the improvement of the welfare of the child. Identifycommunity development activities to reduce the vulnerability of thechild. Maintain database for vulnerable children.In collaboration with Bucopho, inform Bandlancane on progress ofchild related programmes and request for assistance where necessary.Ensure that child rights are mainstreamed in the children’sprogrammes.NCCU TechnicalofficersAssistantCommunityDevelopmentOfficerInkhundlaSecretaryChiefdom Clerk62

ANNEX 3: ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN DEVELOPING THENPA 2011-2015This report was prepared in consultation with the following organizations, representingthe National Child Coordinating Committee (NCCC), TWGs and other implementingpartners:1. AG’s chambers2. Another hope foundation3. Caritas4. Central Statistics Office5. CDC6. Children’s Cup7. Cheshire homes8. Council of Swaziland churches9. Deputy Prime Minister’s Office10. DPM – social welfare11. European Union12. Emavulandlela Scouts13. FAO14. Fundza15. FLAS16. Hand in Hand17. Khulisa Umntfwana18. Lutheran Development services19. Mental Health20. Ministry of Health and Social Welfare21. Ministry of Economic Planning andDevelopment22. Ministry of Finance23. Ministry of labour24. Ministry of Public Service and Information25. Ministry of Education26. Ministry of Agriculture27. MOTAD28. MRDYA29. National Early Warning Unit (NEWU)30. National Psychiatric hospital31. NERCHA32. PPCU33. RSP34. Red Cross35. Salvation army36. Save the Children37. Sebenta national institute38. SHAPE39. Social welfare40. Supper buddies41. Swaziland National Youth Council42. SWATCYP43. Swaziland Police, Domestic violence Unit44. SWAGGA45. Tinkhundla Administration andDevelopment46. UNICEF47. UNAIDS48. UNDP49. UNFPA50. USG51. WHO52. WFP53. WLSA54. World university services55. World Vision56. Young Heroes63

REFERENCESi Swaziland Vulnerability Assessment Committee, Annual Vulnerability Assessment & Analysis (2008).ii Central Statistical Office, Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (2006/07).iii Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, State of Swaziland Population, (2009).iv Central Statistical Office, Swaziland Demographic and Health Survey (2006/07).v The Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland, 26 th July 2005.vi Kingdom of Swaziland, Towards Shared Growth and Empowerment: A Poverty Reduction Strategy andAction Programme (2006).vii Kingdom of Swaziland, Towards Shared Growth and Empowerment: A Poverty Reduction Strategy andAction Programme (2006).viii The minimum package for enabling socialisation would include protection (from abuse, violence andprovision of housing), socialisation, provision of access documents (birth and death certificates,immunisation cards etc) and availability of a caregiver.64